“For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its tender shoots will not cease” (Job 14:7).
This is a continuation of yesterday’s word: “Now the ax is laid to the root of the tree.” Through the eyes of faith Job sees that the purpose of God’s pruning is the removal of bad roots, not the chopping down of healthy trees.
If the Lord went around cutting down every life that had a defect in it, there would not be many left standing – and I’m not at all sure that I would be one of them! Neither was the psalmist, evidently, for he asked this question of his Maker: “If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, 0 Lord, who could stand?” (Ps. 130:3).
Here Job is talking about replacement. He is saying that, in the process of pruning, even if a tree were completely chopped down, there would still be hope of regrowth. That tree can sprout again.
In the original Hebrew this expression is one word, chalaph (khaw-laf), the word used for the revival or renewal. Even though the ax is laid at the root of the tree, the tree itself can still revive. It can be renewed. It can come back again.
It should encourage us to know that the Lord can cut out of us every inherited genetic disturbance without destroying our lives. No matter how ingrained the cancer – the negative family trait or tendency – that root can be severed without destroying the life of the family tree. Though severely pruned, it will come back.
Tomorrow we will look at how the revived tree will be different and even better than the one it replaces.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.